Image sources left to right & top to bottom // 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5. | 6. | 7. | 8. | 9.

Image sources left to right & top to bottom // 1. | 2. | 3. | 4. | 5.

Image sources left to right & top to bottom // 1. | 2. | 3. | 4.

Image sources left to right & top to bottom // 1. | 2. | 3. | 4.

Image sources left to right & top to bottom // 1. | 2. | 3. | 4.

Image sources left to right // 1. | 2. | 3.


I decided to do something which I hadn’t really done before on the blog – I wanted to share some of my recent work with you guys in the hope that you will find it interesting. I was recently approached about designing an interior for a boutique hotel/ bar/ restaurant here in Sydney, in a beautiful heritage building. This project seemed like a dream come true in so many ways, and it also happened to be in a building which I knew and admired for a long time, as I walked passed it on my way home for almost four years.

This chance to design a boutique hotel was such an incredible opportunity to fuse everything I knew about contemporary interiors and my (extreme) love of heritage buildings. Alas, things weren’t meant to be and, due to a number of reasons, I recently withdrew my proposal for the project. But let’s not get into that – I am here to share some mood boards and a little concept story which I developed during the short time I was involved with this amazing building.

Oh how I love dreaming up clever concepts and translating them into delicious looking mood boards. This part of the project is like a drug for me. A little obsession. But in a good way. I compare it to how actors must feel when they are given an exciting lead role. I throw myself into research, and for days I live and breathe the ‘character’ of the space and think about all it’s possibilities. For me, a concept story is about giving space it’s personality, and good images are the actor which communicate the concept. And like actors, some images convey concepts better than others. A successful mood board relies on a well thought out concept, just like an actor relies on a great script. One cannot exist without the other. The ultimate concept + mood board combination is visually arresting, rich and captivating, with intensity and depth of character. Just like a great movie, brilliant mood boards are something you can happily go back to and ‘watch’ over and over again.

Ok, so that all sounds pretty hard-core I know. And I am not saying that the mood boards I am showing you today actually live up to that. But that’s what I strive for, and hope to kick it some day. I want to create the most AMAZEBALLS concepts ever. There, it’s out . Anyway, how about I shut up now?

By the way, there are many more boards from this project which I can share with you another time if you want to see them. Or not. Up to you.

x dana

About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

14 Responses

  1. linda from OEKE

    There has been a tonne of talk about ‘mood boards’ lately and, to be honest, I never quite understood it. BUT. A mood board for a project I get. It’s researched, sourced and combined for a specific timeframe .. a particular look. And your ‘particular look’ for this un-realised hotel project would have been so lovely to visit (-:

    Reply
  3. Heather Jenkinson

    Ooh, show it all, please! Man alive, Dana, those are *beautiful* boards. I like this quote: ‘Unlike art, architecture has the ability to be tactile…’ Reminds me a little of something Ilse Crawford said at a Design Week lecture about there being a demand for tactility in everything these days – after procurement power drove choice for far too long.

    Also, I may be wrong but I’m pretty sure I get a hit of Roman & Williams in this post – their ideology has a distinct tone and it is music to my ears…

    Reply
  4. Lauren

    I totally know where you are coming from Dana! I too get my thrills from compiling mood boards, unfortunately I don’t get the opportunity very often. And nothing as exciting as your project, shame it won’t be realized, I really want to stay here. They are such a beautiful and emotive collection of images and words.

    In fact I’m visiting your fine city this weekend and struggled to find somewhere cool to stay (my fault as the good ones were already booked) Don’t suppose you could recommend any hot places to check out?

    Reply
  5. yellowtrace

    Thanks guys. It feels strange sharing my own work on the blog so I appreciate your support and your kind comments.

    Linda – I know what you mean about ‘mood board’ talk. Every man and his dog thinks they can do one, but a proper concept board requires a certain amount skill. It’s not just about whacking a whole bunch of images together just ’cause they’re pretty’…

    Heather – you are right about Ilse and R&W influence (and I’m sure a few others). Those guys are true masters I have huge respect and admiration for what they do, and their work has influenced me both consciously and subconsciously!

    Lauren – hope you have fun in Sydney. I’ll send you a little e-mail now!

    x dana

    Reply
  6. Oliver @ Sabi Style

    I second Heather – I would love to see them all! Thank you for sharing this… I think it is really brave for a designer to put themselves in the cross hairs.

    You have a really amazing eye for the story. These are really are inspiring. I must admit I am a little sad that I won’t see your version as I have no doubt it would have been a cracker! I love the narrative and as I look at the images the static suddenly erupts into a picture.

    I agree with you about how hard a mood board is to do well. I confess I struggle sometimes to take the images and thoughts in my head and arrange them so that a tale can be told. One that flows and draws the person in, as these do. I think a designer is often like the narrator in a book – it is the voice that guides the person through the chapters and for me each chapter is like a room in a house.

    The End.

    Reply
  7. Jill Stiely

    Beautiful, Dana! yes, it really does take a certain skill to create mood boards that can translate to a design. And you certainly achieved that.
    x

    Reply
  8. shelley t

    seriously dana, this is beautiful, i was instantly transported out of my frantic life, i hadn’t read the text and to discover i was mesmorised by moodboards for crying out loud! oh my god, great concept. brilliant, love it, bravo. i have no idea why you pulled this project, but if they weren’t seeing what you were, then they are a bunch of morons. so clever. thank you for being brave enough to share your work. x

    Reply
  9. Sarah

    As a fellow hotel designer, I share your passion for immersing yourself in the space and love the first few days after getting a new project where I completely check out from the world and think only about the possibilites for the project! Loved the mood boards you created, and it’s a shame that your ideas didn’t continue through the proposal stage because it looks like it would have been an incredible, unique space (although, I understand the often chaotic design process and am sure you had valid reasons for pulling out). I loved your description of the essence of the mood board. So many people think they can pull them off but few do it really well. Thanks for sharing your beautiful work!

    Reply
  10. jamieson

    your mood boards, together with your use of words, just made the interiors, or how i am building it now in my head, feel so luscious! geeeee…. i have a stupid smile on my face now. just the perfect thing i need this rather uninspiring saturday. THANK YOU!!!!! :)

    Reply
  11. Chin

    Hey dana, one of your mood board images has just inspired me to create something new for my jewelry design! Thanks! Lurve….lurve…lurve!!! Your images.

    Reply
  12. Anna

    Yay yay yay, I’m back in the big smoke and I’m seeing some fab things that are going on here AND HERE THEY ARE. Your stuff rocks. No other way to say it. x

    Reply
  14. Atelier Turner

    Hello Dana…I don’t even know where to begin we have so much in common. You’ve been on my blogroll for a while now but I’ve never introduced myself. I’m also an interior architect here in the US…worked for a hotel design firm and have now started my own firm. Studied abroad in Sydney at University of New South Wales…have a potential boutique hotel project in the pipeline so in this post I totally felt like we were speaking the same language. When you talk about mood boards and concept I totally relate…I’ve saved many a images for this boutique hotel and creating the concept is one of the most exciting aspects when starting a new project. It lays the groundwork for the entire design…anyhow, please do post some of your other mood boards…I am like you…I rarely share my own work on my blog but will most likely be doing more of that if this boutique hotel project works out for me. xoxo Atelier Turner

    Reply

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